On June 25, 1596, the London printer and publisher John Harrison the Elder transferred his rights to print Shakespeare's poem Venus and Adonis to his colleague, William Leake, who printed the fifth edition in 1599. The poem was entered as "Venus and Adonis" in Stationers' Liber C. The printer Richard Field originally registered the poem on April 18, 1593, after which he printed the first quarto edition. He later transferred the rights to publish the poem to John Harrison, on June 25, 1594. Seventeen quarto editions were printed in total before 1641, and the poem's publishing rights in the Stationer's Register were transferred to several different tradesmen over the course of those years.

Liber C and the other registers with Shakespeare’s works are still kept by the Stationers’ Company in their archives.

Semi-diplomatic transcription

[This transcription is pending final vetting][Current transcription based on Arber; check back soon for a transcription that conforms to Shakespeare Documentedconventions]

4to. Junij./Tho. Chard. Entred for his copie vnder the handes of my lordes grace of Canterbury and the wardens, a booke Intituled El Sancto Euangelio De Jesu Christo segun San Mathei &c and so the whole newe testament to be printed in the Spanishe tonge . . . vjd

ix Junij [1596]Mr Wyndett/ Entred for his copie by order from the Lord Archbishop of Canterburye and vnder the wardens handes a booke intituled St Peters Chayne . . . vjd

25 JunijWilliam leeke Assigned ouer vnto him for his copie from Mr harrison the elder, in full Court holden this day. by the said Mr harrisons consent. A booke called. Venus and Adonis . . . vjd